Related to progress on GCR/CRRF implementation, the Government of Ethiopia’s commitment continued with the promulgation of the new refugee proclamation and work on drafting the National Comprehensive Refugee Response Strategy (NCRRS) and regional action plans, which UNHCR supported as requested. Significant progress was achieved in the context of IGAD commitments, most notably in education (Djibouti Declaration), but also in livelihoods and durable solutions. Gradual inclusion of people of concern in national services such as education and WASH was being achieved through various partnerships. In the process to finalize the NCRRS and regional action plans, several consultation meetings were supported.
UNHCR engaged in the UN Country Common Assessment (CCA) and the new UNDAF, referred to as the UNSDCF, including in government consultations, with the inclusion of people of concern in these frameworks. The latter half of 2019 was focused on preparations for the Global Refugee Forum (GRF). UNHCR in support of the Government of Ethiopia, arranged several GRF consultative and bilateral meetings with line ministries, relevant government agencies, regional governments, development partners and UN agencies. Technical groups were formed for education, protection, livelihoods, energy and environment, comprising focal points from UNHCR, ARRA, ministries, UN agencies and development partners, which were instrumental in developing Ethiopia’s pledges and potential matching contributions. Ethiopia made four pledges at the GRF on protection, livelihoods, education, energy and environment, showing continued commitment to the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees.
Together with the Ministry of Peace and the Danish Embassy, UNHCR organized a regional government-to-government conference, which brought together States and stakeholders from the East and Horn of Africa region, providing opportunities to foster sharing of national experiences and identify forward-looking opportunities to achieve the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees.
At the regional level within Ethiopia, progress was made on area-based planning and SDG monitoring. Notably, in the Somali Regional State (SRS), an agreement was signed with Jijiga Bureau of Finance and Economic Development (BoFED) to provide logistical and capacity development support for SDG monitoring with funding from the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF). Local authorities improved their knowledge and capacity to plan for SDG-based local development in refugee-hosting areas, linked to local planning cycles and budgeting systems in the SRS. A joint commitment was made by UNHCR and the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDDS) to progress on SDG delivery and monitoring in refugee displacement-affected woredas in the SRS.